SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority as it would amend Class D and Class E airspace for Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL.

Comments Invited

The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments are filed in writing.

The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light of the comments it receives.

Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/​privacy.

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at www.faa.gov/​air_​traffic/​publications/​airspace_​amendments/​.

You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, Room 210, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA, 30337. ( printed page 62681)

Incorporation by Reference

Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 6002, and 6005 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026. These amendments would be published subsequently in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11M, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points, is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.

The Proposal

This action proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 by updating geographic coordinates for Maxwell AFB in the Class D airspace legal description. It would also update the header for the Maxwell AFB legal description to list the city and state instead of the airport name to comply with FAA guidance.

This action also proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Montgomery, AL, by increasing the radius of the airspace surrounding Maxwell AFB from a 7-mile radius to a 7.5-mile radius. The additional airspace is needed to contain IFR departures from Maxwell AFB as they transition to the adjacent Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. Additionally, this action proposes to update the reference to Montgomery Regional Airport—Dannelly Field, AL, to Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field), AL; update the reference to Prattvillle-Grouby Field Airport to Prattville/Grouby Field Airport, AL; add the state abbreviation to the Wetumpka Municipal Airport reference; and add the state abbreviation to the Maxwell AFB reference.

Additionally, this action proposes to revoke the Class E airspace designated as a surface area at Maxwell AFB. This airspace is no longer required because the airport does not have the weather reporting capability necessary to support the Class E surface area when the air traffic control tower is closed.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. It, therefore: (1) is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a “significant rule” under DOT Order 2100.6B, “Rulemaking and Guidance Procedure” (March 10, 2025); and (3) is expected to result in, at most, de minimis costs from compliance with applicable operating requirements or minor flight rerouting for operators choosing to navigate around the controlled airspace. Since these proposed amendments are routine and the expected impact to operators is de minimis, the FAA certifies that this proposed rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in accordance the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and FAA Order 1050.1G, “FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures” prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

The Proposed Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation Administration Order JO 7400.11M, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 30, 2026, and effective September 15, 2026, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.

ASO AL D Montgomery, AL [Amended]

Maxwell AFB, AL

(Lat. 32°22′59″ N, long. 86°21′57″ W)

Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field), AL

(Lat. 32°18′02″ N, long. 6°23′38″ W)

Montgomery VORTAC

(Lat. 32°13′20″ N, long. 86°19′11″ W)

That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,200 feet MSL within a 5-mile radius of Maxwell AFB, excluding that airspace south of a line 2.5 miles north of and parallel to RWY 10-28 at Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field) and southwest of a line along the Montgomery VORTAC 320° radial. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

ASO AL E2 Maxwell AFB, AL [Revoked]

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

ASO AL E5 Montgomery, AL [Amended]

Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field), AL

(Lat. 32°18′02″ N, long. 86°23′38″ W)

Montgomery VORTAC

(Lat. 32°13′20″ N, long. 86°19′11″ W)

Maxwell AFB, AL

(Lat. 32°22′59″ N, long. 86°21′57″ W)

Prattville/Grouby Field Airport, AL

(Lat. 32°26′19″ N, long. 86°30′46″ W)

Wetumpka Municipal Airport, AL

(Lat. 32°31′38″ N, long. 86°19′52″W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 7-mile radius of Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field), and within 4 miles east and 8 miles west of the Montgomery VORTAC 138° radial extending from the 7-mile radius to 16 miles southeast of the Montgomery VORTAC, and within a 7.5-mile radius of Maxwell AFB, and within a 7-mile radius of Prattville/Grouby Field Airport, and within a 6.3-mile radius of Wetumpka Municipal Airport.

91 FR 62680